Maserati Kubang SUV concept unveiled at Frankfurt auto show

Maserati revealed the Kubang concept Tuesday at the Frankfurt motor show, and the vehicle is a strong indication of what the production SUV will look like. It will use Jeep underpinnings but has a completely unique, Italian-styled body penned in Modena.

The engine, though unspecified, will be built by Ferrari in Maranello. It will be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Maserati CEO Harald Wester called it "the first tangible look into Maserati's future."

The Kubang is the name of a Maserati SUV concept that was revealed at the Detroit auto show in 2003. The press conference was one of the more anticipated events in Frankfurt and it drew Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne and Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo.

Meanwhile, Wester also detailed the business elements of Maserati, which like Jeep, is owned by Fiat. He said sales increased 10.7 percent to 3,213 units compared with the first half of 2010.